"Yeah. Born and raised."
"I was technically born there though my mother moved soon after. In his will, my father left me property in Key Biscayne."
Part of Mitch wondered what was in the palm trees there that made his mother stick with a man who told her he had to marry another. What kind of guy kept a woman when he couldn't give her his name? He'd never do that.
"That's a beautiful part of Miami."
Mitch shrugged. He was the exact same age as his half-brother, Peter, not that it mattered. "I don't remember. We moved around so much."
They circled back toward the cathedral. Tess let out a throaty sound and asked, "What was it like to go to elementary school in Paris?"
Mitch’s eyebrows arched. "That was in your records about me?"
Tess’s cheeks tinged rose. "Once I found out you were probably related to my boss, I put all my efforts into finding out everything I could about you.” She folded and unfolded her arms while she looked at the ground. “But the question was for me, not work."
They were in Paris because his mother had almost broken up with their father and he’d moved her to keep her hooked. Dependent on him. For Mitch, Paris was school and tours, but he also recalled his mother's tears, which he wouldn’t mention.
"The American school in Paris was taught in English, so I imagine I took the same classes as you. My mother followed my father around the world. Wherever he wanted her, she’d go. We’d be put into the next American school so our curriculum remained steady."
She brushed her hand against his and didn’t pull it away. "Still, Paris looks breathtaking in photos."
They stepped onto the cobblestones that would take them back to the church. The somberness would soon return to his life and this bit of respite would end. He walked slower. "Have you never been?”
"I've gone to many parts of South and Central America, mostly with school or business, but never Europe or Asia."
"Why not?"
Having her beside him in Venice as they sipped coffee and overlooked the water from their hotel room played in his head. It was an image of a life that felt completely strange and foreign.
She adjusted her glasses. "I’ve recently started work at Morgan Enterprises and I have to save up my money. One day, though."
Her eyes might be even bigger if she took the black-rimmed frames off entirely. "You just started, but you're here?" She was beautiful—how could Peter not notice?
"I know. A few months ago, I was scooping ice cream. Now, here I am."
Her story made him pause. He massaged his chin and stared at her. "Are you sure that Peter isn’t interested?"
"No! He’s married!" Her hand flew to her chest. "I told you that he’s in love with his wife."
So many people had no respect for marriage, rings, or promises of a ring. What his mother experienced and how he grew up was not a situation any child should see or understand.
"My mother was in love with a married man all her life." A spark of shame surprised him. Yes, he’d understood Axel’s anger that day he’d stormed out although he’d done the responsible thing and stayed to care for his mom.
She hugged her waist and turned toward the door. "That's not me."
"I apologize." Tess seemed more innocent than the usual type he met. Not that he’d been looking for anybody in particular.
Church bells rang, signaling the service was about to begin.
Tess dropped her hands to her sides. "It sounds like you should be in there.”
"Would you have dinner with me, Tess?"
The question flew out of his mouth, but he knew he'd be alone in his huge mansion in the Garden District later, pacing the floors. For some unfathomable reason his mother had requested that the family not gather and he assumed his brothers would all go home. A few hours with Tess might stop the loneliness.
The church bells grew louder. He shouldn’t have said anything.
She removed her glasses to stare at him. "What?"
"Never mind." His face heated.
"Wait.” She caressed his forearm. “I'd love to."
Because it was her job? Or because of their chemistry? It didn’t matter. "Great. I'm looking forward to it.”
He ushered her inside ahead of him. Once he followed, the weight of where he was, and why, fell on his shoulders. Fiona Dupree was no more, even if he felt like she was there, watching the entire show. No one said anything as he joined Galen, Axel, and Damien near the casket. His mother had wanted him to enjoy life, but this was not the time for sunshine or happiness.
4
From her hotel suite on Royal Street, Tess ransacked her suitcase, praying her blue dress might magically appear so she didn’t have to borrow from Caro, who was already bringing over a pair of heels. She hadn't thought she'd have time to go out and had only packed the essentials. She texted her sister.
You were right. I should always pack a dress.
Naturellement. I'm always right about everything.
Funny, Jess.
How her sister spoke French and Spanish fluently, Tess would never understand. She knew how to order food in Spanish, but that was the extent of her language skills. Jess had the ability to absorb languages effortlessly which she’d proved when she’d conversed in Arabic to her college friend after knowing her but a month.
A knock reverberated in the air. Caro was now a fashion designer in the House of Morgan, and Tess prayed she’d brought over the pair of black Valentino heels that they’d texted about. Caro's access to free clothing had spruced up Tess’s wardrobe, though that wouldn’t help tonight. Tess ran to the door and opened it, grabbing the shoes dangled in her face. She hugged them, smiled at Caro, whose shiny, ebony hair and cocoa brown eyes made her a knockout-gorgeous hero. Tess placed the shoes next to her hotel bed.
Caro waved two dresses in the air, one that was similar to the blue dress she’d wished for. “We have a warehouse in New Orleans, so I chose a few items for this big date of yours.” Caro followed her inside. "Now, I want details, like when did you have time to meet a guy that you’d actually say yes to? You’ve always said no thanks when we went out and guys approached you."
Telling Caro she met her dream man at the funeral didn’t sound nice, so she held her tongue. Mitch Morgan was tall with short, wavy dark blond hair, a muscular body, piercing blue eyes, and charisma that overshadowed anything else about him. One night alone with him was going to be fun, although she needed to temper her expectations. She was here for work.
She straightened her black-rimmed glasses and stared at herself in the mirror. She needed more blush. “I’m going out with Mitch Morgan.”
"Mitch? Seriously?”
Right. Her face was so hot, it might melt off her skin. “His mother just died. We hit it off when we went out for air before the service—he probably doesn't want to be alone, that’s all."
“He looks exactly like his father.” Caro must have remembered the funeral and her own childhood, where her mother worked for his father. "So you're not attracted to him?"
“Umm… He’s nice to look at, but probably emotionally unavailable.”
She finished applying the blush and stepped back—this was as good as she could do. It wasn’t like she had the option of contacts for the next few months with that stupid scratch in her eye. Glasses until she healed.
“I know I need to repair my reputation at work,” she’d poured her heart out to Caro about what had happened as soon as she’d moved back to Miami, “but what does a drink or a meal hurt?”
“Not all guys are like Kevin,” Caro answered. “And if his last name is Morgan, he might be perfect.”
“Not all guys are like Luke, Caro.” Tess took her friend’s hand. “Tonight is just dinner.”
Caro squeezed her hand. “Well, you need to look fabulous, in case it turns out to be more than dinner.”
"What should I wear?" Tess picked up the two outfits Caro had brought.
Caro urged her to try on the blue jumper. “Nice. Now t
he red.”
Tess adjusted the form-fitting red dress around her cleavage.
Caro sucked on her lip and studied her. "This is good, if you want him to look at your amazing chest.”
At work, she usually wore a black cardigan around her neck so no one saw her neckline, and her dresses covered every part of her. Caro then wrinkled her nose.
"The brown one you have out is more your usual style, I think. You know, the type where you want your date to think you’re applying to be a nun."
Tess threw the brown one on the bed without trying it on, she’d packed it for work. She plucked at the low neckline of the dress. "I don't have any layering to hide behind."
“I’m sure your date won’t mind.” Caro picked up the Valentino shoes. "So, sexy siren...” She pointed to the brown dress, “or nun habit?"
"Caro, stop." Tess turned toward the mirror and saw that the red complimented her. She sucked in a breath and answered, “Okay, this will work.”
“Good.” Caro’s eyebrows rose. "You’re definitely interested in him then?"
Tess made a few adjustments to the dress, making sure it still fit in the right places. "He’s grieving. I'm just being nice."
She looked at herself in the mirror and decided to be bold. She added some red lipstick.
Caro laughed and shook her head. "No one puts that color lipstick on if they just want to be ‘nice’."
“Please.” She shook her head and prayed her friend didn’t call her out on her lie. "It's only dinner, Caro. I’ll probably never see him again."
Unless, of course, her job counted. She hoped he wouldn’t hold any hostile takeover Peter might launch against her personally.
She shook her head. It was best not to think about any of that tonight. Tonight, she was offering to be a friend.
There was a knock at the door, which pushed open slightly. Had she not closed it all the way? She was normally so careful.
Tess’s breath caught when she saw Mitch Morgan in a black tuxedo that clung to his body perfectly. He held a box under his arm. He nodded at Caro, then her.
"Are you ready, Tess?"
"You're early." She invited him in with a wave. He walked in as she slipped the heels on.
Mitch’s clear, sexy blue gaze landed on her and she completely forgot her friend was in the room. He winked at her. "Only five minutes. Do you want me to go wait in the car?"
That was the last place she wanted him. "No! Let me finish up."
"I'm leaving.” Caro tried to slip out the door.
Mitch turned to let her pass. "It was nice seeing you again, Caroline Morgan."
Caro stopped. "Soliz. Luke and I aren’t married yet, so I’m still Soliz for a few more months."
"Caro...” Tess warned. Now was not the time to get into this. Tess’s gaze returned to Mitch's chiseled jawline. He looked like her fantasy lover come to life.
Caro waved. "Good night, Tess. Have fun, you two."
"Thanks." Tess followed her, smiled, and closed the hotel door behind her. This time, she waited for the click to ensure it was closed, then turned her full attention toward her date.
Those blue eyes sparkled like a just-opened bottle of champagne. The world faded away and all that existed was the two of them. She glanced at the floor so she'd not gawk.
Mitch held the box out to her. "These are for you."
"Chocolate?" She accepted the package and gave it a shake. It wasn't the weight of a box of chocolates. It sounded like jewelry, but that was too much, too fast. No one offered jewels on a first date, unless he was a serial killer or out to impress someone else.
"Open it." His low voice somehow echoed inside her heart.
The suspense caused her to rip into the brown paper, smiling as if it were her birthday. Bulgari. It was jewelry. She opened it. The shininess of the set would make the singer of Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend blush.
"Diamonds? What the..." The rest of the sentence wouldn't form. She swallowed and shoved the box toward him. "I can’t accept this."
He opened it and took out the diamond necklace. "I want you to feel comfortable at the place we are going."
Diamonds that begged to be stared at definitely made her uncomfortable. "Where are we going? I thought it was just dinner."
"You'll see." He came closer. "Let's put this on first." She turned and lifted her hair.
The necklace felt cooler and lighter than she expected. His hands on the nape of her neck sent a thrill of desire down her spine. She swallowed as her finger reached up and touched the fiery clear pendant. The neckline on her dress was the perfect foil to showcase the jewel.
"I can't. This is too rich for my blood."
“You’ll need to blend in tonight.” When she turned, he latched the matching bracelet around her wrist. "Consider it armor."
He held the earrings up. Why not? He was her fantasy man, and this was a fantasy evening. She took her small studs out, then put the dangling diamonds on her lobes. When she glanced in the mirror, she froze. The sophisticated woman that stared back at her wasn’t quite her anymore.
This must be what the rich look like every day. What if she hurt, or lost, one of the jewels? She swallowed, then met his blue eyes. His gaze seeped into her soul and she lost her courage.
"Mitch, I—”
He held out his arm, his smile proud. "Look amazing. Shall we go?"
What kind of person did it make her if she didn't rip off the necklace and throw it in his face? What was he expecting in return?
If it weren’t for how he made every part of her feel like a flower about to bloom, she’d have done just that. But her lips ached for his kiss as her mind begged to know how skilled his hands were. Would he know how to please her between the sheets? Her gaze narrowed, contemplating finding out right now. Tess crossed her arms to ensure he couldn’t see how turned on she was by him.
"I thought this was just dinner."
He opened the door for her. She linked her arm in the crook of his elbow and took a deep breath. He smelled like firewood on those cool mornings when her parents had taken her on ski trips. They’d been comfortable growing up, but not billionaires.
"Tess, I hope you enjoy tonight."
She walked beside him as if in a dream, but the cool stone at her throat told her what was real. This was too much. She knew better. She shook her head and slowed her step. "Mitch, I don't feel comfortable..."
He pressed the button for the elevator and turned toward her. "My mother would’ve liked you."
His mom? How sweet. The elevator dinged. They stood without another word while it opened. If she followed him, her life would never be the same. She stared at the empty elevator. She glanced at a portrait on the back wall of a family in a park holding hands in a circle. Family love gave her courage to push forward.
"Mitch..."
"Take my arm, Tess." When she did, he guided her inside.
This was the start of something new. Caro was right. She had always said “no” in the past. Now, sparks heated her skin as the elevator doors shut.
"Wait..."
"What?" His blue eyes gazed at her.
They were like a beacon. As the elevator began its descent, she lifted her chin. "I think you should kiss me now. That way, I won't wonder all night..."
A half-smile emerged on his lips, and a split second later, his arms wrapped around Tess. The sense of belonging overwhelmed her as her eyes closed. Her lips met his, and every part of her body buzzed. A sigh escaped as he deepened the kiss, and her arms wrapped around him to hold on as the rest of the world disappeared.
Suddenly, the elevator dinged and shattered her bubble. Mitch stepped away, but kept his hand on her back. As the doors opened, she muttered, "Wow." She focused on two older people who waited for the elevator.
Tess slipped out, and Mitch followed behind.
He took her hand and led her through the lobby. "Let's go before I change my mind about tonight."
"Huh?" Her designer heels clicked on the m
arble floor. The reaction of her body left her confused. “Do you not want to go?”
As they neared the exit, he leaned over to whisper in her ear. "I'd rather see you naked."
Her face heated. The kiss had been earth-shattering. After tonight, how could she face him again? "I'm embarrassed."
He winked and walked her to the front door, a doorman holding it open. Mitch held her close as they passed him. "Dinner it is then. I will try to behave myself."
Part of her wanted to take him back to her room and unbutton his shirt with her teeth, but she never acted like that. Ever. Not even in college!
They stopped on the curb and she tried to get her bearings in the sultry night. "Mitch, why did you ask me out?"
"Usual reasons. You interested me, and I'm never interested."
“So, this isn’t about my job?”
His hand brushed against her cheek. “You’re gorgeous. I’m sure everyone you meet sees that.”
Her eyes widened. No one else ever saw her as a great beauty. She was the plain, boring one in glasses. A bright burst of energy, like a star during an eclipse, sent her into orbit. She needed to be real, though, and not get lost in dreams.
She tugged on her ear, the dangling diamond swinging. "Just to be sure, as that doesn’t answer the question. This has nothing to do with the fact I work for your brother?"
He looked to the street and raised his hand high. He must have seen his car. "Are you attracted to me or my bank, Tess?"
Again, awareness of him rushed in her veins. "One hundred percent you."
"Then we're on the same page."
A limo pulled up in front of them and the driver stepped out to open their door. Mitch held her elbow as he helped her in. She scooted over on the black leather seat, laughing. "This feels like prom night.”
"Did you enjoy prom?" he asked and closed the door behind him.
She turned toward Mitch, their legs touching. "Yeah. I enjoyed being with my friends.”
His eyebrow arched. "No big date?"
A giggle escaped her. In so many movies, prom was the best night of high school, although they always skipped the part where a better life awaited them once they got out. "We went as a group. There was a boy I danced with."
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